A major tip for weight-loss success

By bernicewood, on December 20th, 2010

We as human beings would like a quick fix for all our problems. We want things done NOW. We want our files to open instantly, we want our meals heated within seconds, we don’t like waiting for traffic lights. And when it comes to our health, with all the advances in medicine, we want a fast solution. In many cases there are quick (not instant) treatments for illnesses. If we get strep throat, we can take an antibiotic. Our child gets an ear infection, we give them antibiotics.

Magic Pill for weight loss

When it comes to weight loss, we would all love to have a little pill we can take and make all these pounds melt away. Take a look at all the infomercials and all the advertisements in the sidebars in Google. Everybody claims to have the magic pill for weight loss.

Well, I am going to add my magical solution! The difference between my solution and what they are hawking on every other cable channel is that mine is NOT instant, BUT it is FREE.

While eating healthier and eating less will bring the weight loss sooner, I have found one of the most surefire ways to make the weight loss happen. My solution is not a pill, it is a habit. And believe me, I have been on so many weight-loss plans from Weight Watchers to Atkins to the Cabbage Soup diet.

The one habit that has helped me lose more weight and keep more of it off is this… writing down everything I eat.

Every single thing I put in my mouth. I would recommend doing this before you ever even consider cutting back on your intake. You will probably be surprised at how much calories you are actually taking in.

By seeing what is going in, it can help you begin to make better choices. Sustainable weight loss is not about how quickly can you lose the weight. It should be about breaking old habits and creating newer healthy ones that you can maintain.

There are countless methods for tracking food intake

The first 2 I have actually used:

www.weightwatchers.com- part of the backbone of WW program is tracking everything you eat, whether it is on a paper tracker or using online tools. Obviously, WW is not free, but they have a long-term track record for helping people successfully lose and keep off the weight.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/ Spark people is an awesome site. They have great nutritional tools with 1000’s of foods in the system, plus you can add your own foods and nutritional content in. They also have a host of tools for exercise and article on health, exercise, recipes, etc. There are also community boards you can join for support. Spark People is FREE.

http://www.myfooddiary.com/ This looks like it has lots of useful tools, however it is not free. You get 7 days free and then it is $9 a month.

Numerous apps for smart phones. I only have a Blackberry, but I am sure there are some great apps for the i-Phone and the Droid systems

Not just eating less, but eating healthier

Tracking not only helped me limit calories, it also helped me to start seeing where I could make shifts to not just reduce the calories, but increase fiber, reduce simple carbohydrates, eat the right amount of protein. While calories are important, for health and energy, you want to eat a well-balanced diet!

If losing weight, or getting healthier is going to be on your resolution list after the holidays, consider how tracking you food might contribute to the success of your plan. Start researching right now to see which program might be the best for you to implement.

If you have some suggestions for other programs that I do not have listed here, please share with me and my readers!

My tip is, I usually buy small portion of food only.
There’s no food stocked around then I just don’t eat.
I always push myself to go out every noon to buy small amounts of foods for that day’s meal only, and walk around the park near my grocery while I already stepped out Sandy recently posted..You are right

What a great idea Bernice! I’ve struggled with my weight for a good 8 years now and this is one thing I haven’t tried before. Perhaps I’ll start keeping a log of every little thing that crosses my lips… but I may wait till after the holidays to start. (Don’t need to depress myself with all those truffles and cookies and cakes oh my!)

Happy holidays to you and yours,
Tanja

bernicewood Reply:January 3rd, 2011 at 3:02 pm

Hi Tanja!
yep, it works well for me! Starting back again today! I have gotten my hubby to agree to do so as well. he has much more weight to lose, and his health has become a factor so hopefully this will help him!
Bernice

Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.

I was VERY surprised how many calories I as eating when I tracked every bite that when into my mouth – whoa! I also highly recommend getting a food scale. If you want a whole food diet (i.e., less processed foods), I recommend Isabel at TheDietSolutionProgram.com. Very healthy and do-able!LBDDiaries recently posted..30PDC Days 13-19 Always and Forever

bernicewood Reply:April 19th, 2011 at 4:10 pm

I have gotten very slack about this. Just got back on track this week. That’s the thing about writing these tips and guidelines on my blog, it is good for me to go back myeslf and reread as a reminder! Will have to go check out Isabel’s site! Thanks!
Bernice

I use an app called Tap&Track. It helps me keep a journal of what I eat and exercise I do. I’ve lost 20lbs in about 3 months. Keeping tabs on what I eat and the corresponding nutritional data has been extremely useful. It makes you accountable and gives you a realistic idea of how much you actually eat.Tara R. recently posted..Up a bayou with a paddle

Good day I am so thrilled I found your blog page, I really found you by error, while I was searching
on Google for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a marvelous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute
but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will
be back to read much more, Please do keep up the
superb jo.midsummerr.co.uk recently posted..midsummerr.co.uk